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RB Chris Brown, Houston Texans

HT: 6-3, WT: 219, Born: 4-17-1981, College: Colorado, Drafted: Round 3

2008 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 28th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: J Campbell (125), V Young (126), Chris Brown (127), T Bell (128), D Branch (129)
Position: J Norwood (108-RB40), C Johnson (119-RB41), Chris Brown (127 - RB42), T Bell (128-RB43), S Morris (131-RB44)
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Best Case

Chris Brown finally lives up to expectations, emerging from the Texans' crowded backfield picture to become a legitimate 20-carry-per-game workhorse for the team. The Texans offensive line improves its run blocking this season and the Texans offensive attack becomes one of the best in the NFL. Brown could sneak into the top-ten if all of this were to happen.

Worst Case

Brown has similar production to his past two seasons when he finished with 140 total carries and 618 yards with just five touchdowns. He doesn't impress in training camp, and veteran Ahman Green or one of the youngsters (Darius Walker, Steve Slaton or Chris Taylor) becomes the starter, taking a majority of the snaps. The offensive line struggles to open holes, and the Texans offense takes a step back. If these were to happen, Brown would have little fantasy worth.

Outlook

In all likelihood, the Texans will platoon the running back position, trying to keep two fragile running backs, Green and Brown healthy throughout the season. Add in the three young backs competing for touches, and Brown's upside is probably limited. Brown has never finished with more than 224 carries in a season and is unlikely to exceed that in 2008. He will have some value in fantasy football but likely as a backup.

Relevant Articles

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Brown ran with very good explosion and speed, bursting up the middle on most of the plays he ran, and made defenders miss once he got past the line of scrimmage. He had a career high 175 yards rushing and was very aggressive in the way he attacked Jacksonville's defenders. He split carries evenly with starter LenDale White, but was the more effective in terms of running through the line of scrimmage consistently.

Week 2 - Brown did not repeat his week one performance. Instead, he rushed 12 times for 34 yards and was out gained and outshone by RB LenDale White. He added one catch for two yards.

Week 3 - Chris Brown had less rushing attempts than LenDale White but was more involved in the passing game. He finished with only four less total yards than White, though he did not score a TD. Brown ran hard, and like White, got a lot of tough yards.

Week 5 - Brown made a very nice run on his three yard touchdown, bouncing the ball out of a crowded line and breaking free of a couple of would-be tacklers as he ran free to the left. This touchdown came on first and goal from the three yard line following a timeout, which gave the Titans the opportunity to choose either running back. Brown was also the preferred back in passing situations.

Week 6 - Brown ran the ball just five times for 26 yards, and had a costly fumble that led to a Tampa Bay field goal. On the play, it was unclear if QB Vince Young was at fault on the handoff or if Brown wasn't where he was supposed to be, but Brown did not get much work after the turnover.

Week 7 - Brown was inactive for this game because of an ankle injury from last week's game.

Week 8 - Brown was inactive due to injury.

Week 11 - Brown got some work on a second quarter series to spell starter LenDale White, but didn't see much action afterwards. It was later reported on the television broadcast that Brown was sick to his stomach on the sidelines. He did return in the fourth quarter and caught a few dump off passes.

Week 12 - Chris Brown rotated in on the third series on the game as the Titans rotated their back every third series in the first half. He played the entire second half, and had a touchdown that was overturned when the official determined that his knee was down before he crossed the goal line on a review. Yards were hard to come by as most of his rushing opportunities came in short yardage situations and the offensive line was not able to open any holes to run through.

Week 13 - Brown took advantage of additional playing time, including a seven yard scamper around left end on his touchdown run. Brown adds the ability to get outside and better receiving skills to the offense, but does not wear down defenses the same way starter LenDale White does.

Week 14 - Brown very nearly turned one of his few highlights from the 2007 season into a disaster. After beating several Chargers to the edge, Brown mistakenly believed he could waltz into the end zone for a touchdown to put the Titans up 10-3. He foolishly began his celebration a bit too soon, however, as LB Shaun Phillips caught Brown and dragged him down from behind. He did manage to fall into the end zone, but not before his leg bent awkwardly behind him. Brown would eventually return, but had just one more touch -- a one yard rush -- the rest of the way.

Week 15 - Brown did well in his backup, change of pace role to LenDale White. On five carries, he gained 23 yards, while catching two passes for six yards. He is firmly entrenched in a support role for now.

Week 16 - Chris Brown provided a breather for LenDale White and in turn was rewarded with the Titans only offensive touchdown of the game. On a second and goal from the four, it was Brown who finished the drive with a four yard touchdown run, his fourth on the season. He made the most out of his limited work as he rushed five times for 15 yards and saw one target, which fell incomplete

Week 17 - Brown made an immediate impact by spelling LenDale White. He scored the game's first touchdown by blowing through a gaping hole on the right side of the line. Brown had a costly fumble deep in Colt territory in the second quarter as the Titans were driving for what would have been their second score. He did not receive any carries after the fumble and did not play in the second half.

Week 18 - Brown didn't do anything well in the game, and actually had one of the costliest errors of the afternoon. Early in the second quarter, Tennessee led 3-0 and was driving deep in San Diego territory. The Titans were chewing up chunks of yardage on the ground and faced a second and nine from the San Diego 12 yard line. Brown was hit from behind by LB Shawne Merriman and coughed up the football, which was recovered by San Diego. That play didn't lead to any San Diego points, but it did keep Tennessee points off the board.